Hi Dorian,I'm not a refrigeration tech,but my understanding is that the gases are heated to make a reaction that causes the cold in the process.It's either gas,12 volt element or a 240 volt element to create the heating,but your home fridge, it operates on compressing the gases to create the cold.Perhaps an expert can correct me or fill in the gaps .cheers Peter.
-- Edited by 2foot6 on Wednesday 26th of June 2013 10:16:51 AM
oldtrack123 said
11:09 AM Jun 26, 2013
dorian wrote:
Why would you need a heater element in a refrigerator?
Hi
Simple reason
IT is an Absoprtion fridge require heat & a boiler to operate
With a 3WAY the heat is supplied by
LPG
240V element
12V element
Based on one of the FIRST methods of refrigeration in the early 1900s
& post WW2 they became very common in Aus households ,due to low cost
Kerosene models were commonly used where electric power was not available
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Wednesday 26th of June 2013 11:10:30 AM
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Wednesday 26th of June 2013 11:16:46 AM
Dougwe said
03:51 PM Jun 26, 2013
Hi all,
I have a 90Lt Dometic 3 way fridge fitted to my Avan and has been working well until two days ago when for some reason it just stopped working on 240v. I have checked the main power supply and auto cut of board and all is ok, power is getting in to the Avan so that's not it. Gas and 12v works fine. I am using gas for time being. Any ideas would be great.
Also, if I need to take the Avan anywhere does anyone know of a place in Townsville please or better still anyone that could come out to have a look for me.
2foot6 said
04:19 PM Jun 26, 2013
Hi Dougwe,I would say the 240 volt heater element has become faulty as they do,(common problem)I had to replace mine under warranty,any respectable caravan dealer should have the elements in stock.Some elements can be accessed from outside the van via the vent or in my case ,remove three screws holding in the fridge and slide it forward to access the element,not sure on your rig.You may as well stay up there a bit longer,its only 16c in the thaggi today . cheers peter.
dorian said
04:48 PM Jun 26, 2013
Why would you need a heater element in a refrigerator?
dorian said
05:49 PM Jun 26, 2013
Interesting. FWIW here are some documents which I found useful.
I have a 90Lt Dometic 3 way fridge fitted to my Avan and has been working well until two days ago when for some reason it just stopped working on 240v. I have checked the main power supply and auto cut of board and all is ok, power is getting in to the Avan so that's not it. Gas and 12v works fine. I am using gas for time being. Any ideas would be great.
Also, if I need to take the Avan anywhere does anyone know of a place in Townsville please or better still anyone that could come out to have a look for me.
Â
Hi
Almost certainly the 240V element has failed
They appear to be not fit for purpose [premature failure on a regular basis]
Depending on age of fridge you should contact Dometic for them to arrange a replacement
a google search for
"3way fridge elements"
"fridge not working on 240VÂ "
will let you see a lot of sad stories!!
PeterQ
neilnruth said
01:34 AM Jun 27, 2013
I don't know anything about the 3way fridge except whenever it is running there is always lots of heat coming off it so it seems logical that there is a heating element somewhere.....
Cloak said
02:09 AM Jun 27, 2013
Yes the compressor type is better, however won't run on propane...
Mark said
05:39 AM Jun 27, 2013
If you have the capability to check continuity across the heater element, that will confirm the problem. As Oldtrack123 quite correctly states, the manner in which an absorbation fridge operates requires a heating element. If you don't have the ability or an electrical tester, take it to a professional. It's quite a simple job to change the element and i believe can be done in situ.
-- Edited by dorian on Thursday 27th of June 2013 07:22:55 AM
dorian said
02:05 PM Jun 27, 2013
If we knew the model number, perhaps one of us could locate a service manual. The one that I found seems very detailed. It shouldn't be too hard to locate the heating element and test it. A digital multimeter (DMM) can be had for less than $10, perhaps as low as $3 on eBay. In fact I would think that a DMM would be a mandatory tool for a nomad.
Dougwe said
03:37 PM Jun 27, 2013
Sorry for the delay in getting back to this thread but I am unwell and am on sick roll, basically since I posted the question, yesterday was sort of non existent. I hope to be on the mend sooner than soon actually.
Thanks for all your replies, great as usual. I know I am in the playground and if it was something to do with 12v then I would have a bit of a play but it is 240v and I reckon I might not play with that so will have to call in a 240v person so they they can play instead. I will negotiate my way through the Yellow Pages and also ask Mr Google for help in that department. I will play with something else. I really don't want to end up a bright spark.
Mark said
05:03 AM Jun 28, 2013
dorian wrote:
If we knew the model number, perhaps one of us could locate a service manual. The one that I found seems very detailed. It shouldn't be too hard to locate the heating element and test it. A digital multimeter (DMM) can be had for less than $10, perhaps as low as $3 on eBay.
In fact I would think that a DMM would be a mandatory tool for a nomad.
Totally agree with you dorian, can provide SO much information. Bunnies had them last week for $18, was able to do temperature measurements as well.
Regards
Mark
jules47 said
08:16 PM Jun 28, 2013
Hope you are feeling better today Doug - and Jano (think you met her?) on the site, and a friend of Gypsy Rover - had a fridge problem in Townsville, there is a fridge place there somewhere - ring one of the caravan mobs, they can probably steer you in the right direction.
Dougwe said
08:39 PM Jun 28, 2013
Thanks Jules, I thought I was coming good yesterday but back on the sick roll again today. The anti inflammatory pain killers a getting a hiding at the moment. I will beat this yet. Seems to be a bit better this afternoon.
I will get bak into the fridge problem when I am off the sick roll.
Hi Dorian,I'm not a refrigeration tech,but my understanding is that the gases are heated to make a reaction that causes the cold in the process.It's either gas,12 volt element or a 240 volt element to create the heating,but your home fridge, it operates on compressing the gases to create the cold.Perhaps an expert can correct me or fill in the gaps .cheers Peter.
-- Edited by 2foot6 on Wednesday 26th of June 2013 10:16:51 AM
Hi
Simple reason
IT is an Absoprtion fridge require heat & a boiler to operate
With a 3WAY the heat is supplied by
LPG
240V element
12V element
Based on one of the FIRST methods of refrigeration in the early 1900s
& post WW2 they became very common in Aus households ,due to low cost
Kerosene models were commonly used where electric power was not available
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Wednesday 26th of June 2013 11:10:30 AM
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Wednesday 26th of June 2013 11:16:46 AM
Hi all,
I have a 90Lt Dometic 3 way fridge fitted to my Avan and has been working well until two days ago when for some reason it just stopped working on 240v. I have checked the main power supply and auto cut of board and all is ok, power is getting in to the Avan so that's not it. Gas and 12v works fine. I am using gas for time being. Any ideas would be great.
Also, if I need to take the Avan anywhere does anyone know of a place in Townsville please or better still anyone that could come out to have a look for me.
Hi Dougwe,I would say the 240 volt heater element has become faulty as they do,(common problem)I had to replace mine under warranty,any respectable caravan dealer should have the elements in stock.Some elements can be accessed from outside the van via the vent or in my case ,remove three screws holding in the fridge and slide it forward to access the element,not sure on your rig.You may as well stay up there a bit longer,its only 16c in the thaggi today . cheers peter.
Page 25 of the following service manual (for a US model) explains how the absorption system works:
http://www.fourwheelcampers.com/NewDometicRefrigeratorManual.pdf
Parts List and Exploded Diagrams:
http://www.dometic.com/36a91f2a-8752-462b-ae68-39dcf2b66b21.fodoc
Â
Hi
Almost certainly the 240V element has failed
They appear to be not fit for purpose [premature failure on a regular basis]
Depending on age of fridge you should contact Dometic for them to arrange a replacement
a google search for
"3way fridge elements"
"fridge not working on 240VÂ "
will let you see a lot of sad stories!!
PeterQ
I don't know anything about the 3way fridge except whenever it is running there is always lots of heat coming off it so it seems logical that there is a heating element somewhere.....
If you have the capability to check continuity across the heater element, that will confirm the problem. As Oldtrack123 quite correctly states, the manner in which an absorbation fridge operates requires a heating element. If you don't have the ability or an electrical tester, take it to a professional. It's quite a simple job to change the element and i believe can be done in situ.
Mark
Service Tips for Dometic MANUAL REFRIGERATORS, Models RM2310 / RM2510 / RM2410 / RM2610 / RM2452 / RM2810 / RM2453 /RM2552 / RM2553:
http://gasrefrigeration.net/dom_techdata/2552.pdf
Dometic Manual Refrigerators - Diagnostic Guide:
http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com/database/Other/Files/Dometic%20Diagnostics.pdf
-- Edited by dorian on Thursday 27th of June 2013 07:22:55 AM
Thanks for all your replies, great as usual. I know I am in the playground and if it was something to do with 12v then I would have a bit of a play but it is 240v and I reckon I might not play with that so will have to call in a 240v person so they they can play instead. I will negotiate my way through the Yellow Pages and also ask Mr Google for help in that department. I will play with something else. I really don't want to end up a bright spark.
I will get bak into the fridge problem when I am off the sick roll.